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THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Fig. 81. CHIP BASKETS or STBAWBEBEIES. 



22 inches deep, inside measurement. These have ledges on two sides of the box 4 

 inches from the base for a false bottom to rest on, this being made of strips of deal 

 f-inch thick and long enough to reach the small ledges at the sides. By having the 

 first ledge at 4 inches from the bottom, and the other at 8^-, 13, and 17^ inches respec- 

 tively, the box will hold five layers of punnets, fifteen in a layer, 75 pounds of fruit. 



Each layer of punnets is covered with 

 rhubarb or cabbage-leaves with the mid- 

 ribs taken out, the leaves being perfectly 

 dry. The boxes, of course, may be of any 

 size, provided the punnets pack tightly in 

 them without crushing the fruit. The 

 boxes are best with locks, and should be 

 sent off by spring vans. 



Square chip baskets, 5 inches across 

 the top, 3 inches at the bottom, and the 

 same in depth, holding about 1 pound of 

 fruit, have come into favour, and no 

 wonder, as they are handy, therefore appreciated when containing fine strawberries 

 attractively packed (Fig. 81). The handle bends down and fits closely over the edge 

 of the basket, then any desired number can be arranged in u box, or twelve baskets be 

 placed in one, as shown in Fig. 82. A few soft leaves should be spread on the fruit 

 before placing on the lid. 

 Several boxes may be tied 

 together in a stack ; but the 

 better plan is to pack the 

 baskets in a box of three to 

 five tiers as described for 

 punnets. 



Strawberries for dessert 



should be gathered with not less than half an inch of stalk. Fruit for preserving is 

 generally gathered without stalks, and placed in glazed earthenware crocks or pots 

 holding 18 to 24 pounds each, these having the lids properly secured retain all the 

 juice. In Kent the inferior fruit is put in tubs or barrels, holding 56 pounds, and sent 

 to jam makers. By inferior is meant the small of the larger-fruited varieties, for no bad 



Fig. 82. PACKING CHIP BASKETS OF STBAWBEBKIES. 



